Selector key mechanism for automatic phonographs



sepnza,19411.'I A QA.www 2,257,019

SELECTOR KEY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 1 6, 1940 s shetsZ-gheet 1 y ATTORNEY Sept 23, .1941. C. A. BRINKERT 2.257,019 SELECTOR KEY MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Shet 2 ATTORNEY Sept- 23, 1941- c. A. BRINKERT l r-2,257,019`

SELECTOR KEY MECHANISM -FOR AUTOMATIC PHONQGRAPHS Filed Jan. 16, 194() 3`Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR 'zvwgY.

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES 'PATENT oFlFlcE SELECTOR KEY FOR l MA'EIG PENOGRAPHS Application January is, 1940, serian No. 314,126

(ci. rs-saai 12 Claims.

This invention relates generally to automatic phonographs but more particularly to a combination program holder and selector key mechanism therefor.

It has for one of its objects to provide a combination mechanism of this character which is designed to facilitate the patrons selection of a given program of records in a simple, direct and accurate manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination program holder and selector key assembly which is simple, compact and inexpentions onstitutinrgiven-programselected.mZLselective-positionfand Vdirectly bearing .the -title' Other features of the invention reside in the construction and arrangement ofparts hereinafter-described 'and particularly `pointed out in the appended claims.

`In the accompanying drawings: i

Figure 1 is a fragmentary. front elevation of an automatic phonograph showing my combination program holder and selector key mechanism associated therewith. Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged horizontal sections taken substantially in the plane of line 242, Figure 1, and showing one of thel combined program holders and selector keys in its non-selective and selectively-set positions, respectively. Figure 4 is a like section larged, fragmentary vertical section taken on line units in its non-selective position. Figure 9 is a like view of the same in a selective position.

Figure 10 is a rear view of such modication.. Figure 11 is a cross section taken on line iI'-I l,

Figure9. K

Similar characters of reference indicate correspending parts throughout the several views. Y Y

While my improved selector key mechanism ls applicable to any type of a selectively-controlled instrumena'it has been shown, by way of example, in connection with an automatic selective phonograph of a well known type, that shown in the drawings (Figure 1) consisting of a cabinet i5 in the upper portion of which is housed a vertical stack of record carriers i6 adapted to be selectively swung horizontally to a position in the axial plane of a vertically adjustable turntable il, to the end that after a carrier is selectively swung from the stack to a position over the turntable, the latter is y'elevated to the position shown in Figure 1 toI bring the selected record from its carrier into playing engagement with the tone arm I8.v Thepresent invention has to do with the patron-actuated means for pre-selecting those records borne by the phonograph which the patron desires to be played, and

in this connection these means consist of a combined program holder and selector key unit, one for each record, the keys being Idepressible to a of the respective records borne by the phono graph.

As shown in Figure 1, this combined program holder and selector key assembly is indicated generally by the numeral I9 and mayv be ldisposed at the front side of the cabinet for convenient manipulation by the patrons. 'I'he combined program holder and key unitsY preferably s consist' cin horizontallydi'sposed, depressible bars or membersl 20 arranged in one or more vertical rows, depending upon the numberi of records borne by the phonograph, these bars having their front faces yexposed through an opening 2| formed in the front wallv of the cabinet I5 and each being supported for displacement to and from a selective position on a companion horizontal shelf or platform 22 supported on `upright rails 23 disposed within the `cabinet. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the drawings. the bars 20 and intervening shelves 22 are disposed in two adjoining vertical rows` with a.y removable upright partition 24 being disposed between the opposing inner ends-of the bars. and being removably held in position by a releasablekeeper 25, as shown in Figure '1. This keeper may be operatively associated with a key-operated lock assembly 26, so that only authorized persons have access thereto for removing the partition 24 for -a purpose which will hereinafter appear. These 66 bars are of such dimensions as to appropriately constitute holders for removable cards "r'selectonbar, to the depressed selective position shown in igin'essuch bar acts to close a switch 28 included in a suitablcircuit for selectively governing the projection of the ccm1\panio1rrecord\irom the key lug Il, whereupon the spring 30 cancel a given @emr bal' n behaarde/5" pressed it to -a selectiveV position. he merely grasps the exposed front face of the cancelling element 26 with the thumb or finger and rotates it in a counterclockwise direction to bring .the nose 21 forwardly and to project the catch J2 to released position due to the cam 4 0 deilecting the catch-arm 4| in a direction to unlatch it Y carrier I8 from the record stack to a position 10 wl"`eausethak5ybar to be automatically swung over the turntable 1, whereby to eilect the automatic selection and playing of that record whose title is borne by the card 21 contained in the part of the present invention, it has not beendeemed necessary to show or describe it.

' In the embodiment of the invention shown in .I Figures 1-7, inclusive, the combined selector key and program-holder bars are pivoted to swing horizontally to and from a selective position and for this purpose are connected at one end to a common upright pintle 29 which. intersects the respective shelves 22. A spring 3l is associated with each bar 20 to normally urge and maintain it in the non-selective position, shown in Figure 2, and projecting inwardly from adjacentA the free end of each bar is a shouldered lug 3l with which a horizontally swinging latch 32 is adapted to engage for releasably holding the bar in its depressed or selective position shown in Figure 3.. A spring Il associated with this latch normally urges it to swing into latching engagement with the shouldered lug 3l. An electroms'net 34 maybe included in the selective-governing circuit so that at a predetermined time after the selected record has been brought out for play.

this magnet will be energized and the latch 32, which also constitutes an amature, will be attracted to -the magnetA and be released irom latching engagement with the lug 3i, whereupon lirlcgllhrnwillrbesautomatieally. projected j or restored to its non-selective position by the spring III.

the free end or its companion selector bar 2l on a pivot screw 35, is a rotatable cancelling element It having-a nose portion 21 against which the free end of such bar abuts` in -both the selective an oneselectivapositions of the bar, as

shown m mms 2 and smauy- 32 adapted vto abut against a correspo I shoulder 39 on the adjoining wall. of the partition' 24 in the non-selective position of the selectorbaramlcancellingelement,asshowni1 i1l5'ig ure'2,andacamiace againstwhichanextension 4l of the latch .l2 is adapted to abut at all times, 80 thatwhenthe latch lshifled toits latohing position motion is imparted-tothe canceiling elementin a direction tokeep its nose 31 in contact with the selector bar, and when the latter is released to its non-selective position,

cancellingelementbetweentbenosel1andtheshoulder' Il preferably depends downwardlyfrom portion o! the elementandoverf hangs the adjoining Ixontedge of the correpmiasn a: to .inconvenient f lnger-griplcr actuating such elementtoacan- Should to notch .intheopposingtacootthebarex- Pivotally mounted on each shelf 22 adjacent I outwardly to theorr-seleetiyejosition shown in Figure 3.

The combined selector key and program holder bars 2l -are preferably made of a lighttransmitting material. such as Lucite." and the forward face of each bar is convexly curved in the manner shown in Figure 6 for the purpose of magnifying the title appearing on the inscriptioncards 21, the latter being removably supported in a pocket 2P ,formed in each bar. These barpockets are open at the free ends of the bars, so that when the latter are swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure 4. after removal of the frame-partition 24, the title-cards 21 may be readily inserted or removed. The shelves 22 are' likeWLse made of-a light-transmitting material, so that in use these parts, namely. the bars 2l and the front'edges of the shelves}22 are eilectually and colorfully illuminated from a light source suitably disposed within/that part of the l in Figures 8-11, inclusive, the combination program holder and selector key. units are in the form of depressible slide bars 42 guided in suitable ways 43 applied, to vertically-spaced supporting shelves 44, the?E latter being hinged at one end as a unit assembly to a common upright hinge post 4s suitabiysnppci-teemtheeaisin'et,tf-p

and the opposite ends of the shelves being suitably ilxedto an upright standard 46. In this form of the invention, a rectangular frame piece 41 is detachably applied to the front side of the cabinet about the vertical row of selector keys and the latter are exposed through the opening 48 of such frame. This frame may be detachably secured in the same manner that the frame-piece ector bars are depressed construction,we

to the pofrom the-position sho in sinon shown in Figure 9, each bar am MK a companion selector-governing switch 4I and ai is .provided with a rearward slotted extension il having a lateral projection Il thereon for governing the displacement of the movable elemeni-I of movement of theselector A' spring I2 bearing against the inner face of each bar 42 normany urges it to the non-selective position shown or front end in a nose or linger-gripping portion Ill whichis'adaptedtoengage a shoulder ll formed "iuih'eadjoining'eldoltheselectotbdruinthe` depressedorselective position ot'suchparts. as

:showninlligureiL Thelatchhasaprojection Ilthereonwhichisa'daptedtomalocking cured. As in the previously-described tension 50 in the selective position of the selector bar. A spring connected to the latch 53 normally urges the same into latching engagement with the bar extension 50. In the non-selective position of the selector bar 42 the nose portion 51 of the cancelling element 55 assumes a position displaced from the bar-shoulder 58 and bears against the adjoining side edge of the selector bar 42, as shown in Figure 8. When the patron depresses the selector bar to a selective position, the spring 5| urges the latchv 53 and cancelling element 55 to the latchedw positions shown in Figure 9. An electromagne't 62 may be included in theA selecting circuit so that at a predetermined time in the selective playing cycle this magnet will be. energized and the latch 53, which also constitutes an armature, will be attracted to the magnet and be released from latching engagement with the bar extension 50, whereupon the companion element 55 will be simultaneously projected or released from engagement with the shoulder 58 of the selector bar 42 and bars and associated parts are swung outwardly as a unit from the cabinet, to thereby expose the ends of the bars to conveniently effect the removal of the title cards and the replacement thereof with new ones, after which this unit structure is swung back into the cabinet andtheV frame piece 41 replaced in position on the cabinet.

The selector-bar-supporting shelves 44 which are suitably supported in proper spaced relation on the hinge-post 45 and standard 46 may .be made of metal and faced o n their under sides and front edges with facings 63 of light-transmitting material to match with the appearance of the selector bars 4,2.

I claim as my invention: s

1. In a phonograph for playing a plurality of cooperative adjoining relation with the companion selector elements and latching means and movable therewith to a selective position when the companion selector element is moved to such position, each of said cancelling means being having a portion operatively engageable with the latching means to release the vsame from engagement with the companion selector element.

2. In a phonograph for playing a. plurality of corresponding in number to the records and mounted for movement to and from a selective position, means for normally urging said selective elements to a non-selective'position,

tor elements for movement relative thereto and each having a portion operatively connected to the companion latching means for enacting the release of the latter from engagement with thev companion selector element.

3. Ina phonograph for playing a plurality of records selectively, a plurality of selector elements corresponding in number to the records and mounted for movement -to and from a selective governing position, means for normally urging said selector elements to a non-selective position, means releasably engageable with said elements for latching them in a selective position, and pivoted j cancelling members individually associated with said selector elements nadjoining coextensive relation therewith and having a portion operatively connected to the companion latching means for eiecting the release of the latter '-.from .engagement with the companion selector element and a manually-engageable por- I tion adjoining the face of the latter.

4, In a phonograph for playing a plurality of records selectively, a plurality o! selector elements corresponding in number to the records and mounted for movement to and from a selective position, means for normally urging said selector elements 4to a non-selective position.

.means operatively associated with each of said selector elements for latching them in a depressed selective position,.and a manually-actuated canceiling element disposed in correlation with each of said selector elements and leach having a facial portion in coextensive relation vwith the operating face of its companion selector element and having a second portion operatively connected with its companion latching means for releasing it at the will of the operator from such selector element.

5. In a phonograph for playing a plurality of records selectively, a plurality of 'selector elements corresponding-in number to'the recordsand mounted for movement to and from a selective governing position, means for normally urgingsaid selector elements to a non-selective posisaid selector elements for latching them in a depressed selective position, and a manually-actuated cancelling element disposed in correlation with eachA of said selector elements and operatively connected with its companion latching means for releasing it at the will of the operator from such. selector element, the operative connection between the cancelling element and its the -movement of manually movable to a", cancelling position and means releasably engageable with said elements f forlatching them in a selective position, and

`manuallyactuated cancelling members incli-` vidually associated in correlation with said seleccompanion latch means including a part for compelling the restoration of the cancelling element to its normal position simultaneously with the selector element to its nonselective position.

6. In a phonograph for playing a plurality oi' records selectively, a plurality of selector -elements corresponding in number to the records and mounted for movement to and from a selective governing position, means'for normally urging said selector elements to a non-selective position, -ineansoperatively associated with each of said selector elements for latching them in a depressed selective position, meansl operatively connected with each of said'latching means for automatically releasing it at a predetermined time in the recordchanging operation to cause the restoraton of the companion selector element to its non-selective position, and a manually-actuatedy cancelling ,element operatively connected with each oitV said latching'meansjfor releasing it at the will o! the operator'from its companionselector element 'to cause the restoration of the latter to its non-selective position. Y

7. In a phonograph for playing a plurality o! records selectively, a plurality of selector elements corresponding in number to the records and mounted for movement to and from a selec# tive governing position, means for normally urging said selector elements to a non-selective position, means operatively associated with each o! said selector elements for latching them in a depressed selective position, and a manuallyactuated cancelling element disposed in correlation with yeach of said selector elements and operatively connected with its companion latching means for releasing it at the will of the operator from such selector element, said cancelling element having a stop thereon for limiting its movement in one direction and an exposed finger-engaging portion for effecting its movement in the opposite direction to itsselector-cancelling position.

8. In a phonograph for playing a plurality o! records selectively, a plurality of selector elements corresponding in number to the Nrecords and mounted for movement to and from a selecrtive governing position, said4 selector elements being made of a translucent, material and each having a recess therein for removably receiving a programcard bearing a given record title,

means operatively connected to each ot the selector elements for urging them to a non-selective position. means engageable with said selector elements for latching them in a selective position.

' means operatively connected with each of said latching means` for automatically releasing it at a predetermined time in the record-changing operation. and a manually-actuated cancelling element of translucent material in adjoining coextensive relation to each selector element and operatively connected to the corresponding latchine means for releasing it at the will oi' the operator .fromiis companion selector element to cause `the restoration of the latter toits non-Y selective position..

9. In a selector mechanism of the character described, a support, a selector key mountedon said support for movement to and from a selec- 20' selective position.

it in a selective position, and reversibly movable means having a portion operatively connected to I latching means for releasing it from said key when said movable means is actuated in one di- 5 rection, said last-named means being disposed in operative relation to the key and having a portion in enssement therewith in all positionsv thereof and a stop for limiting the movement oi! said movable means in the opposite directions when the key'is moved to its non-selective position.

1o. In a selector mechanisms: the character described, a support. a combined selector key and i title-bearing bar mounted on said support for movement to and from a selective-governing po- 11. I n a selector mechanism of the character described. a support. a combined selector key and title-bearing bar mounted on said support for movement to and from a selective-governing 5 position, means engageable with said key for releasably lau-.hing it in its selective position, and a cancelling member pivotally disposed adjacent one end of said key and having a unsrer-engaging portion in coextensive relation to theliace of they key and having a partin operative engagement with said latching means, said nager-engaging portion having a nose in bearing engagement with the adjoining end o! said key.

l2. In a selector mechanism of the character 5 described, a support, a combined selector key and title-bearing bar mounted on said support i'or movement to and from a selective-governing position, means engageable with said key for releasably latching it in its selective DOSition, 'a

40 cancelling memberpivotally disposed adjacent one end of said key and having a part in operative engagement with said latching means and a mager-entame portion in coextensive relationv to the key, a detachable frame-piece extending in part over theilnger-engaging portion of said cancelling member, and companion stop elements.

applied' to the latter and said frame-piece for A limiting the movement of saidv cancelling member in one direction.

CARROIL aBRINmn 

